Use of Low-Cost Adsorbent for Copper and Lead Removal from Aqueous Solutions

In this study, the effect of the use of environmentally friendly materials (sawdust) in the reduction of some heavy elements of industrial wastewater was studied. The removal of lead and copper elements was tested. In order to evaluate the effect of this material and other factors in increasing the efficiency of removal, different concentrations of heavy elements of lead and copper 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/l and contact time (10, 20, 30, and 40 s) were tested. The effect of pH was also investigated at levels of (3, 5, 7, and 10, as well as the impact of the amount of sawdust used and the rate of speed of mixing was 75, 100, 150, and 250 rpm. The results showed that the highest lead removal efficiency was (95%) when using 2 gm of sawdust at ten pH. In comparison, the highest removal efficiency of copper was 92.5%, when the pH 7 and the study of the number of revolutions and contact time. The results were good indicators when the value of the agitation speed was 75 rpm. Lead removal was 98%, and copper was 94.5% at a speed of 100 rpm. The result also recorded significant effect of time on the removal efficiency; the efficiency of removal of copper was 90-94% at 30 min, while the removal efficiency of lead was 70-73% at 34-40 minute period.